Cleveland has been in the midst of a culinary renaissance that deserves far more national attention than it gets.
Long stereotyped as a meat-and-potatoes Rust Belt town, the city has reinvented itself as a genuine food destination, with a growing community of chefs, restaurateurs, and food artisans who are passionate about putting Cleveland on the map.
From the ethnic enclaves of the West Side to the revitalized neighborhoods of Ohio City and Tremont, incredible food is everywhere — if you know where to look.
We’ve done the legwork so you don’t have to. Here are nine underrated restaurants in Cleveland that deserve a spot on your must-try list.
1. Batuqui
This Brazilian gem on the West Side brings the vibrant, bold flavors of South America to Cleveland with warmth and authenticity.
The menu features traditional dishes like feijoada, moqueca, and picanha that are bursting with flavor and prepared with obvious care and respect for the cuisine.
The caipirinha cocktails are strong, refreshing, and the perfect companion to the richly spiced food.
The colorful, lively atmosphere makes every meal feel like a celebration — the kind of restaurant that lifts your spirits the moment you walk through the door.
2. Szechuan Gourmet
Located in a strip mall in the eastern suburbs, Szechuan Gourmet is the real deal — and it’s quietly serving some of the most authentic Chinese food in Northeast Ohio.
The menu is vast and unapologetically Sichuan, with dishes that deliver the signature numbing heat of the region’s famed peppercorns.
The mapo tofu is silky and fiery, the twice-cooked pork is beautifully caramelized, and the dan dan noodles are a must-order for anyone who can handle the heat.
Skip the Americanized section of the menu and dive straight into the authentic specialties — you won’t regret it.
3. Dante
Tucked into a cozy space in Tremont, Dante has been a neighborhood favorite for years without ever achieving the citywide fame it deserves.
Chef Dante Boccuzzi brings a refined but approachable touch to a menu that spans Italian, Asian, and New American influences with remarkable cohesion.
The sushi bar might surprise you in an Italian-leaning restaurant, but the fish is pristine and the rolls are creative and expertly crafted.
It’s an incredibly versatile restaurant — equally suited for a romantic dinner, a celebratory night out, or a casual evening at the bar with a glass of wine.
4. Momocho
Ohio City’s beloved mod-Mex restaurant has a loyal following, but it still flies under the radar with many Clevelanders who haven’t ventured west of the river.
The guacamole menu alone — with options like mango habanero, roasted garlic, and pomegranate — is reason enough to visit.
The braised short rib enchiladas are rich, tender, and smothered in a mole sauce that clearly took hours to build, and the tequila selection is one of the most comprehensive in the state.
The colorful, Day of the Dead-inspired décor adds to the festive vibe, making every visit feel like a party.
5. Larder Delicatessen & Bakery
Part bakery, part deli, part restaurant, Larder in Ohio City is one of Cleveland’s most versatile — and most underappreciated — culinary destinations.
The house-cured meats and fresh-baked breads form the foundation of sandwiches that are nothing short of extraordinary.
The pastrami, brined and smoked in-house, rivals anything you’d find in New York, and the pastry case is filled with beautiful, buttery creations that make choosing just one feel like an impossible task.
Whether you stop in for a quick coffee and croissant or settle in for a full brunch, you’ll leave wondering why this place isn’t constantly packed.
6. Phnom Penh
Cleveland’s West Side is home to a vibrant Cambodian and Vietnamese community, and Phnom Penh is one of its crowning jewels.
The menu features an extensive selection of Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Thai dishes, all prepared with authentic flavors and generous portions.
The pho is rich and aromatic, the Cambodian noodle soups are deeply satisfying, and the stir-fried dishes — particularly the lok lak — are packed with bold, well-balanced flavors.
The space is simple and unpretentious, the prices are unbelievably reasonable, and the food is the kind that keeps you coming back week after week.
7. Flour Restaurant
Italian food in Cleveland often means red-sauce joints and pizza — and while there’s nothing wrong with either of those, Flour in Moreland Hills offers something different entirely.
This elegant yet welcoming restaurant focuses on refined Italian cuisine with a modern sensibility, featuring handmade pastas, carefully sourced proteins, and a wine list that reads like a love letter to Italy’s great wine regions.
The agnolotti is a silky, buttery revelation, and the branzino is cooked with a delicate touch that lets the quality of the fish shine through.
It’s a special occasion restaurant that’s well worth the drive from downtown.
8. The Black Pig
Tremont’s The Black Pig is a charcuterie lover’s paradise that doubles as one of the best neighborhood restaurants in Cleveland.
The house-made sausages, pâtés, and cured meats are the stars of the show, crafted with skill and creativity that put most deli counters to shame.
But the rest of the menu holds its own, too — the pierogi are pillowy and perfectly crisped, the burger is one of the city’s best, and the rotating specials always feature something worth trying.
The intimate space and friendly service make it feel like your own personal neighborhood spot, even if it’s your first time walking through the door.
9. Siam Café
Hiding in plain sight on St. Clair Avenue, Siam Café is a tiny Thai restaurant with a big reputation among those who’ve been lucky enough to find it.
The pad thai is excellent, but the real magic lies in the curries — the green curry is creamy, aromatic, and perfectly balanced between spicy and sweet, while the massaman is rich and deeply comforting.
The papaya salad delivers a punch of heat and acidity that wakes up every taste bud, and the Thai iced tea is the perfect cooling counterpart.
The space is small and the menu is focused, but every dish is prepared with a level of care and authenticity that makes Siam Café one of the best-kept secrets on Cleveland’s East Side.
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